The Christmas break for your average college footballer is characterised by over-resting, weight-gaining and banging out FIFA. Unfortunately, this usually comes back to bite once the first round of fixtures of the new term begin.

But at least we get to start with the greatest cup competition in the history of cup competitions. The people of Cambridge obviously pay more attention to the battles of Cuppers than that sideshow the FA Cup (who even are Manchester United?)

Anyway, college football is back, and this week saw the quarter finals of both Cuppers and the Plate, bringing goals and shocks aplenty.

CUPPERS QUARTER-FINALS

Darwin 3-3 Pembroke AET (Pembroke win 4-2 on Penalties)

Darwin: Audu, Wolstenhulme (x2)

Pembroke: Nielsen, Ifere, Carroll

It took penalties to separate these two in one hell of a close game. With the score at half-time at 1-1, 2-2 at full time, and after extra time 3-3, it would be fair to say this one could have gone either way.

Pembroke opened the scoring courtesy of Blues forward Marcus Nielsen, but were soon pegged back by Abraham Audu’s equaliser following a period of concerted pressure from the home side. Very soon after the restart, Pembroke stole ahead thanks to a low finish from David Ifere.

Darwin sent Rich Wolstenhulme up front and it paid dividends in the end, when with under ten minutes to go, the Blues man struck his first of the afternoon. Neither side were able to snatch it at the death, taking the game to extra time.

Darwin started fast, grabbing a goal just moments after the whistle blew. Chris Hope managed to work the ball into the box and take a snap shot, only for the keeper to parry it away. Luckily for Darwin, Wolstenhulme was on hand to tap the ball into the net.

Darwin fans may have been forgiven for thinking that his goal was the winner, but Pembroke weren’t going to roll over. They upped the ante, and after a number of goal line clearances won a penalty which was calmly converted by John Carroll.

Penalties beckoned, with Pembroke winning this even contest 4-2. Darwin will take heart from this performance and will hope to carry such a display into their league form to maintain their push for promotion. Pembroke will be delighted at the prospect of facing the side who they lost to in last year’s final in the semi’s; Jesus.  

Trinity Hall 0-6 Churchill

Churchill: Evans, Holt, Weaving, Rolph, Weller, Goddard-Pantic

The quarter final between Churchill and Trinity Hall produced a startling result to rival the very best upsets of recent times. Division two high flyers Churchill carried their league form into the cup in superb fashion, trouncing the Premier League holders Trinity Hall 6-0.

Churchill started quickly, opening the scoring when Berridge-Dunn, who bagged four assists on the day, whipped a ball in for Evans to bend home a superb first time strike from 15 yards out. It didn’t take long for Churchill to double their lead, Holt prodding home after a corner caused chaos in the Tit Hall penalty area. The third was bagged by Weaving, who cut inside his full back to bend home a “beauty of a strike into the top left hand corner” with his weaker foot.

With 30 minutes not yet on the clock, Rolph scored a fourth for the visitors, racing away down the left hand side before clinically slotting home.  Trinity Hall briefly rallied, but it was short lived and came to nothing, and things went from terrible to atrocious when Berridge-Dunn hit a defence-splitting pass to send Weller through on goal. He made no mistake. At half time, the score was 5-0.

After such a poor display in the first half, the home side picked up in the second period, managing to concede only one more goal. That came courtesy of Goddard-Pantic,who smashed home a volley from another set-piece delivery from the impressive Berridge-Dunn.

The final score of 6-0 did not unjustly flatter the visitors. Trinity Hall will need to put this embarrassment behind them quickly to avoid slipping into trouble in the top flight, as it seems the defence of their title is all but over. Churchill meanwhile remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, and although one of the outsiders for this year’s tournament, they will certainly fancy their chances of another giant-killing when they face St John’s in the semi-final, a game that promises to be a cracker.

ROBINSON 0-1 JESUS 

Jesus: Crawford 

The lowest ranked side left in the competition, Robinson, fancied their chances at pulling off a shock against the cup holders, especially in light of their excellent league form. Despite matching their opponents for periods in this quarter-final, they were unable to break down a resolute Jesus outfit.  

Jesus scored the only goal around the 20 minute mark, when a deflected effort from Emerton fell to the feet of Crawford who was on hand to slot the ball into the far corner. Jesus didn't create very much after this, but neither did they look like conceding. 

Disappointment for Robinson, who were certainly the dark horses in the competition. Jesus continue their imperious form, having won every game they've played this season. A third semi-final in three years, they’re certainly riding the crest of success at the moment, but can they make it count? Pembroke will certainly have a say in that.

ST JOHN’S 8-0 GIRTON 

St John’s: Horan (x3), Filippa, Horan, Gaskell (x2), Newbitt 

Premier League leaders St John’s eased into the semi-finals with a morale-crushing victory over Second Division outfit Girton. The game was particularly noted for a remarkable hat trick for St John’s right back Ollie Horan (a feat he will probably never repeat).

The St John’s faithful had turned out in good number, and were instantly sent into raptures when Horan opened the scoring with a header after 30 seconds. St John’s doubled their lead when a fumbled effort from Martin Letrilliart was bundled home by Andrea Filippa. Ollie Horan doubled his tally with another header before Alex Gaskell got in on the act. At half time, the score was 5-0.

With several freshers on the pitch for St. John's, Captain Drysdale singled out Sam Smith and Charlie Selway as both being particularly effective on the wings; perhaps star-material for John's in the future.

Gaskell added a sixth, before Girton’s day went from bad to worse when they had a defender sent off. Horan stepped up and completed his hat-trick. A flowing move from the back saw Newbitt etch his name onto the score-sheet, leaving Girton with a bitter aftertaste at the final whistle. 8-0 it finished. 

St John’s plough on, and will look forward to facing Churchill in the semi-finals. Girton will hope that they can quickly forget this set-back, and renew their push for promotion.

PLATE QUARTER-FINALS:

MAGDALENE   1-13     QUEENS' (thirteen!!!!)

Queens': Knight (x3), Marshall (x3), Evans (x2), Dixon (x2), Ellis, Sefton, Salama

 CAIUS            2-3       SELWYN

CLARE            8-2       PETERHOUSE

EMMA            h–w    KING’S  (home walkover)

(King’s unable to field a side)